Chicago Injury Lawyer Blog
A Rockford, IL, woman was killed last Friday when a freight train derailed setting off a dangerous explosion. According to reports, the tragic train accident occurred at a rural Cherry Valley, IL, train intersection around 9 p.m. on Friday night. The train was heading from Freeport to Chicago when the derailment occurred. According to Canadian National Railway Company officials, the train comprised 18 cars loaded with ethanol. The train derailed as it was approaching the Cherry Valley intersection. Zoila Tellez of Rockford, IL, was killed trying to flee the intersection once the train derailed according to the Winnebago County Coroner. Three passengers were able to survive the flaming accident. A 17 year old girl injured in the accident was listed in critical but stable condition at the burn unit of Chicago’s Stroger Hospital.
Investigators have determined that there was high water along the tracks where the freight train derailed. The role that the rainwater played in the crash remains under investigation according to Robert Sumwaldt of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The NTSB says that it could take up to a year to indentify the cause of the train accident. The agency is presently looking for witnesses that might have observed the train accident for interviews.
Illinois train accidents are very dangerous and complex. If you have any questions regarding a train accident or you would like to speak to an experienced attorney contact the Klest Injury Law Firm today.